Sermons on Bill Wilson:

Jude: Getting Ready For The Fight

Contributed by David Wilson on Aug 19, 2009

A throrough study of the book of Jude with illustrations, outlines, etc.

Jude: Getting Ready For The Fight A Conversational Commentary on the Book of Jude By Pastor David M. Wilson Grant Avenue Baptist Church 2215 Grant Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310) 376-7890 THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE IN BOOK FORM at www.lulu.com Search for ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Dear Sweet Matilda With Two Faces

Contributed by Thomas Wilson on Aug 27, 2009

A story of perception and deception based on hypocrasy.

Out of the shadow came sweet little Matilda, an elderly woman who was very sociable and liked to talk to everyone and anyone. Everyone knew Matilda in the town, she was there from day dot – she was always there. No one could imagine the town without her she was so well known and so kind and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Congregational

Tempting Proposition

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Aug 31, 2009

Convincing teenagers that temptation is a no-win proposition is hard to do, but this oft-neglected passage from Isaiah offers insight.

In the Broadway musical, “Guys and Dolls,” there is a line where Sky Masterton (the Marlon Brando role in the film version) shares some advice that his father gave him. Sky is a gambler and the entire play revolves around a certain bet that he makes which pays off in a way he isn’t expecting. But I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 28:14-20

Denomination: *other

Out Of Sequence

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on May 25, 2009

When some teenagers asked me a question about the relationship between baptism and the Holy Spirit, it forced me to rethink some of my assumptions. Here’s how I presented to them.

It’s interesting to note that when we take certain verses out of their context, we end up creating our own systems to replace God’s “system.” God’s system is called covenant or relationship. Our systems tend to be what we can control. But, of course, we aren’t the ones in control when God is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38

Denomination: *other

You Are There! Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jun 4, 2009

Not only is Psalm 139 important theologically, but it is a good model for learning what we need to do in beginning to pray successfully by praying the Scriptures themselves.

In the “Dark Ages” of television, before there were hundreds of cable channels with nothing to watch and before there was even color broadcasting, much less HDTV, the news division of one of the networks (CBS) had a show entitled, “You Are There!” The idea of the show was to take you back and allow ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Denomination: *other

Torah-Torah-Torah

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jun 27, 2009

Israel’s "Shema" is not only an exhortation for Jews to make God’s teaching an integral part of their lives, but it serves as a good reminder for Christians to internalize the Word as opposed to merely using it for "adornment."

I think I lasted three practices with the freshman high school basketball team. What good is a 4’ 10” guard with limited vertical leap, so-so jump shot skills, and only a slightly above-average ability to steal the ball? But I well remember those three practices. We would change into gym clothes ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Denomination: *other

Does Not Ask For Much--Does He? Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jun 27, 2009

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians serves as a terrific model for praying for each other (and our churches, in general).

Just for fun, let’s start with a trick question today. How many letters to the Ephesians are there in the New Testament? Well, I said it was a trick question. There are at least two. There is one that we’ll be looking at this morning and there is one in Revelation 2. You see, Ephesus was an ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: *other

When Theology Gets Personal Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

For Hosea, theology wasn’t merely theoretical, it was life-changing. So should it be for you and me.

When John Claypool was pastor of Crescent Heights Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, he underwent significant personal tragedy—including having a beloved daughter diagnosed with leukemia. Throughout the turmoil and torture of losing his, as I recall, 10-year-old daughter, Claypool kept his ...read more

Denomination: *other

Like Priest, Like People Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

If Israel’s priests were accountable for Israel’s ignorance and wickedness, what does that mean for all believers as priests and pastors in particular?

[Note: I felt led to preach this sermon during the period leading up to Christmas.] Today is the beginning of the Advent season in churches that follow the ecclesiastical calendar. It celebrates the past, present, and future of God’s coming into the world. In fact, “advent” originates in the Latin ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-19

Denomination: *other

Sue Your Own Mother! Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

Our relationship with God can require a strained relationship with others when we take sin seriously and need to avoid it.

I was watching an old movie on television and I heard a line that I’d missed before. The villain of this comedy was talking on the phone and said something like: “Sure, I know what kind of low-down person would sue his own mother, but we’re not talking about me!” It caught me off-guard and I had ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 2:2-23

Denomination: *other

Moses' Rap

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

Moses used poetry and music to challenge Israel to remain faithful to God’s covenant.

You can hardly go to a sporting event without hearing the pounding beat—Boom, boom, BOOM! Boom, boom, BOOM! We shall, we shall ROCK you!” When I was younger, many of my favorite radio and television programs were sponsored by a company that guaranteed to make you as safe as the Rock of Gibraltar. ...read more

Denomination: *other

Bridegroom Of Blood Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 13, 2009

Being "in" the Will of God doesn’t necessarily mean that we aren’t distracted by human concerns and relationships.

Personally, I have a lot of trouble with the theological term, “the permissive will of God.” We usually apply it whenever someone has done something wrong or merely made a foolish, but not deliberate, choice and then, God makes something good out of the human mess. My problem with the term is that ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:18-26

Denomination: *other

To The Rescue Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 13, 2009

Hosea didn’t merely redeem Gomer with "cheap grace," but established a plan for "sanctification," as well.

My wife enjoys watching movies over and over again. She’s the perfect target market for DVDs because, if she is really into a movie, she’s willing to watch that movie several times over a short period of time. I’m different. I like to watch a film and then, I won’t want to watch it again for a ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:1-5

Denomination: *other

Praying Together Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 15, 2009

This event in the life of the early church gives us guidance in how to pray with power.

As I’ve probably shared with you once before, I was tremendously challenged by a conversational exchange in a short-lived situation comedy. It was a comedy where the late Danny Thomas played a doctor. There was a scene in “The Practice” where a nurse overhears Thomas’ character praying. When she ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:26-31

Denomination: *other

When We Are Called To Those Who Are Hostile

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 15, 2009

After being abused and accused by his fellow Jews, Jeremiah’s counsel was sought and ignored. Modern believers need to take note.

If I hadn’t had a similar, though less lethal, experience, I probably wouldn’t relate to that scene in “The Godfather” where the old Mafioso tells the young boss how the traitor would try to kill him after his death. With me, we were in a nice restaurant in San Francisco (my executive editor and I) ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 37:13-21

Denomination: *other